A Fresh Look at Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
As spring rolls in, many organizations take the opportunity to refresh. Filing systems get cleaned, databases updated, and operations reviewed. It’s the perfect time to consider a spring cleaning of your philanthropic strategy as its one area that’s often overlooked is your philanthropic strategy.
Whether you’re a charity managing incoming DAF grants or a financial advisor helping clients optimize giving, now is the perfect time for a strategic check-in. Here’s how charities and advisors can use a “spring cleaning” mindset to better align with donor advised fund (DAF) activity.
For Charities: Make It Easier to Receive DAF Grants
- Update your CRA-registered charity status in DAF platforms.
Check if your profile is current on Charitable Impact, CanadaHelps, and other major DAF providers. Make sure your mission statement, logo, and contact details are correct — a fresh profile builds trust and credibility. - Make your case for unrestricted gifts.
Many donors are defaulting to restricted gifts. Use newsletters and donor reports to highlight how unrestricted funding supports your mission’s long-term resilience. - Educate your supporters.
Host a “How to Give Through a Donor Advised Fund” webinar for major donors. Many Canadians have DAFs but aren’t sure how to use them effectively. - Track and acknowledge grants properly.
Ensure your team is flagging DAF-sourced donations in your CRM and sending thank-you letters to both the fund and the individual donor (if identifiable).
For Advisors: Refresh Your Clients’ Giving Plans
- Review contribution timing.
Are clients contributing to their DAF at year-end only? Spring is a good time to spread out contributions to better align with investment performance and liquidity events. - Revisit successor plans.
Does your client have a successor named for their DAF? Are the values they want to pass on clearly documented? Revisit these questions during annual meetings. - Audit grant activity.
Help clients assess where their grants went last year. Do the causes still align with their goals? Are they taking full advantage of the flexibility DAFs offer? - Add impact to the conversation.
Help clients move beyond tax planning. Introduce simple tools to track which grants are having the most impact or partner with a philanthropy advisor to deepen that insight.
Final Thought
Spring cleaning doesn’t mean starting over, it’s about clearing the clutter and making room for what matters most. For charities and advisors, spring cleaning your philanthropic strategy is an invitation to reconnect with donors, sharpen strategy, and make sure donor advised funds are working as intended: to fuel meaningful, lasting impact.
